Copper alloy



Patented July 9, 1935 PATENT OFFICE COPPER ALLOY Frederick J. Maas, Chicago, Ill.

No Drawing. Application November 30, 1934, Serial No. 755,355

2 Claims. (01. 75-1) This invention pertains to improvements in copper alloys of the character such as described and claimed in my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent numbered 721,461,

5 filed April th, 1934, having for an object to provide an alloy possessing characteristics such as will enable the same to effectually withstand corrosion, staining and like discoloration, as Well as to maintain its'luster or polish against tarnishing for a maximum period of time; the improved 'metal being especially advantageousfor usage in the fabrication or manufacture of articles or devices which, during normal usage, are subjected to detrimental atmospherical conditions, food and other weak acids, and alkali solutions.

The invention also aims to provide an alloy of the character mentioned which may be satisfactorily and economically cast, drawn, forged, rolled, spun, or similarly fabricated, possessing a high degree of ductility, sufficient in many instances, to permit of its satisfactory working when cold.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that my invention and the mode of producing the same may be understood by workers skilled in the art to which it pertains, I have in the accompanying detailed description, set forth certain embodiments thereof.

A typical formula for producing one form of the alloy is as follows:

7 Per cent Nickel 3 Cobalt 2 Silicon Aluminum 3 Calcium molybdate 1 Iron molybdenum 1 Copper-Poi an amount to complete a 100% mass. In efiecting'a charge for producing an alloy in accordance with the immediately preceding starting formula, the nickel, cobalt, silicon, and iron molybdenum elements are each alloyed with quantities of copper, whereby to produce master alloys, i. e., nickel-copper, cobalt-copper, siliconcopper, and iron molybdenum-copper. These master alloys are then introduced into the charge. The calcium molybdate element is added alone to the charge, i. e., it is not admixed with a quantity of copper, as in the instance of the preceding elements, to constitute what I refer to as master alloys,

Different formulas of calcium molybdate may be utilized in making my improved alloy. However, I preferably employ a formula consisting of molybdenum 43.90%, silicon 0.18%, and calcium 55.92%. By the same token, different and wellknown formulas of iron molybdenum may be utilized in producing the improved alloy, though the formula of the particular element which I have found to be preferable in producing the alloy is molybdenum 68.50%, iron 31.20%, and carbon 0.30%.

A quantity of copper, sufficient to complete a 100% mass for the alloy is added to the aforesaid elements.

A charge constituted in accordance with the foregoing, is brought to a temperature of from 2100 to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, being suitably agitated to insure proper alloying of the alloy components. When the proper alloying is completed, heating of the charge is discontinued, and approximately simultaneously therewith, the aluminum component is introduced into the mass and caused to be alloyed therewith by effectual agitation. The mode of adding the aluminum element to the .mix, it will be understood, insures the retention of substantially the full content thereof in the alloy, that is, the burning off of the aluminum, due to the high temperature of the molten charge, will be materially lessened, and therefore, the desirable benefits resulting from usage of the aluminum element will be attained. The final alloy resulting from the starting formula, hereinbefore given, will contain the following elements in approximately the proportions stated in connection therewith:

- Percent Nickel 2.76 Cobalt 0.48 Silicon 0.47 Aluminum 2.53 Molybdenumu 0.37 Iron Q 0.17 Calcium 0.06

Copper-'0f an amount to complete a 100% mass.

By the usage of cobalt and aluminum in the I alloy, a highly desirable color tone is imparted to the finished product. Furthermore, the cobalt content provides the alloy with a desirable, though not too great a degree of hardness, and it also materially betters its corrosion resisting properties, as well as preventing oxidation of the product when exposed to atmospherical conditions. The aluminum also imparts a certain degree of hardnessto the final alloy, and. in addition, serves to better the corrosion resisting properties of such alloy, as well as to materially improve its ductility. By varying the aluminum content, the color tone of the alloy may be modulated.

The presence of nickel in the alloy provides the same with a beneficial degree of hardness-giving properties, and betters the acid and corrosion resistance thereof.

The silicon content serves to improve acid and corrosion resisting qualities of the alloy and materially improves the alloy fluidity whereby to permit of effectual casting thereof.

By the usage of calcium molybdate and iron molybdenum in the alloy, the corrosion and stain resisting characteristics thereof are greatly bettered, and additionally, these particular elements serve to bring about a most desirable age-hardening of the alloy. The molybdenum content, I have also ascertained, serves to prevent undesirable softening of the alloy when it is subjected to material heat in the usage of an article or device fabricated therefrom, and too, it insures a desirable, though not too great a degree of fluidity.

It may be here noted that substantially all of the molybdenum will enter into the alloy, together with the iron. However, the calcium element, at the temperature of the molten metal during alloying, will not enter the same to any great extent, but rather, will produce a most efficient slag for the charge during such alloying process, sealing the heat, and by consequence, serving to prevent oxidation.

The hereinbefore set forth starting formula for producing my improved alloy, of course, presents a typical embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the relative proportions of the elements may be varied, according to instant manufacturing requirements or dictates. To this end, a starting formula within the element range set forth immediately below is considered to be within the province of the herein disclosed invention:

Copper-of an amount to complete a 100% mass.

An alloy constituted in accordance with the immediately preceding range formula will comprehend approximately the following ingredients igtthhose proportions stated in conjunction there- Copper-of an amount to complete a 100% mass.

Alloys constructed in accordance with my invention may be efiectually rolled into sheets or bars, and the product so constituted will possess exceptionally good strength and ductility. Also, the alloy may be cast and under such conditions, or usage, it will be found to possess those highly advantageous and meritorious properties as hereinbefore set forth; the fluidity of the alloy being such as to permit of the production of solid castings. Further, I have ascertained that my improved alloy may be greatly increased in its resistance or strength efficiency by a step of heat treatment, that is, by quenching or rapidly cooling the alloy from a previously applied temperature sufiiciently high to dissolve the non-metallic matters therein and to bring them into solution, the alloy when thereafter reheated or drawn will be found to be definitely improved in its degree of hardness and strength, without any material change in its original qualities of ductility.

I claim:

1. A non-stainable copper alloy comprising the following elements in approximately the respective relative quantities indicated:

7 Per cent Nickel 2.76

Cobalt 0.48

Silicon 0.47

Aluminum 2.53

Molybdenum 0.37

I Iron 0.17 Calcium 0.06

Copper-of an amount to complete a 100% mass.

2. A non-stainable copper alloy comprising the following elements in those quantities and within the ranges below indicated:

Copperof an amount to complete a, 100% mass.

FREDERICK J. MAAS. 

